In a nutshell
- Planning a city trip to Edinburgh? We’ll walk you through all the transfer options from Edinburgh Airport to the city center — with honest pros and cons for each.
- At Edinburgh Airport (EDI), you can choose between bus, tram, and taxi.
- Our personal favorite is the Airlink Bus — it gets you into the city and back to the airport for under 10 euros, with no stress.
- Still looking for a place to stay? Check out our Edinburgh hotel recommendations too.
Overview: Transfer from Edinburgh Airport to the City Center
First, here’s a quick overview of your transfer options from Edinburgh Airport — so you can see right away what works best for you:
| Airlink Bus | Edinburgh Tram | Edinburgh Taxi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel time | 30 min. | 35 min. | 25 min. |
| From the airport to the city center | 4:30 AM–12:30 AM | 6:18 AM–10:48 PM | all day |
| From the city center to the airport | 4:00 AM–12:00 AM | 6:18 AM–10:48 PM | all day |
| Price | from approx. 7 EUR | from approx. 8 EUR | approx. 25 EUR |
| Booking | Buy here | Buy here | Buy here |
Transfer Options from Edinburgh Airport to the City Center
To help you get from Edinburgh Airport to the city center without any hassle, let’s take a closer look at the three best airport transfer options:
Our Recommendation: Airlink Bus
The Airlink Bus is the clear best value for money when getting from Edinburgh Airport to the city center — and our personal favorite. It doesn’t get any easier, more comfortable, or more affordable than this.
The bus runs daily from 4:30 AM to 12:30 AM, departing every ten minutes from Edinburgh Airport to the city center, where many of the best hotels in Edinburgh are located.
Each ride costs around 7 euros, or with a combo ticket — round trip included — about 10 euros.
If you go with the combo ticket, you can choose the time of your return trip freely and don’t need to book it in advance.
Another big plus: your luggage goes in the storage compartment, so you can enjoy the 30-minute ride as your first little sightseeing tour without having to wrestle with your bags. Along the way, you’ll already catch a great view of Edinburgh Castle!
The route has 11 stops, and you can hop off at whichever suits you best:
- Waverley Bridge
- Princes Street (exit only)
- West End
- Haymarket Station
- Wester Coates
- Murrayfield
- Western Corner
- Edinburgh Zoo
- Drum Brae
- Maybury
- Airport Hotel
You’ll find the Airlink buses at Edinburgh Airport at the bus terminal, Stop A.
Buy Airlink Bus tickets online
Edinburgh Tram
Alternatively, you can take the direct tram from Edinburgh Airport straight into the city center.
The tram runs daily from 6:18 AM to 10:48 PM, every seven minutes from both the airport and the city center. The ride takes about 35 minutes.
A single fare costs around 8 euros. There are also combo tickets for about 20 to 65 euros that include the airport transfer — though those are really only worth it if you plan to ride the tram a lot during your stay, or if you’re traveling with kids.
From the airport to the city center, the tram makes 13 stops. The most useful ones are:
- Balgreen
- Haymarket
- West End
- Princes Street
- St. Andrew Square / Waverley Station
Note: The tram is a bit less comfortable than the bus or a taxi. There are no luggage racks, no guaranteed seat, and it can get crowded during peak times.
You’ll find the tram stop at Edinburgh Airport on the ground floor — just follow the tram symbols.
Buy Edinburgh Tram tickets from the airport online
Buy Edinburgh Tram combo tickets online
Edinburgh Taxi Service
A taxi from Edinburgh Airport is the most convenient door-to-door option — but it’s also pricier than the bus or tram, unless you’re splitting the fare with a group.
Taxis run around the clock, and the 25-minute ride from the airport to the city center costs about 25 euros.
One genuine perk: you get to chat with your driver, who can often share some great local tips for Edinburgh before you’ve even checked in.
Note: Standard-size taxis take up to four passengers and a moderate amount of luggage — so keep that in mind if you’re traveling with big bags.
The black airport taxis wait in front of the arrivals terminal on the ground floor.
Reserve an Edinburgh taxi online in advance
Extra tip: If you experience a flight delay, our article on flight delay compensation gives you tips on how to get your money back.
Frequently Asked Questions about Transfers from Edinburgh Airport
Still have questions about getting from Edinburgh Airport to the city center? Here are the ones we hear most often:
How far is Edinburgh Airport from the city center?
Edinburgh Airport sits on the western outskirts of the city, about 12 kilometers from the center. By bus, tram, or taxi, the journey takes around 30 minutes.
How do you get from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh Waverley train station?
Waverley Station is easy to reach from the airport by tram, bus, or taxi.
The Airlink Bus stops at the corner of South Saint David Street and Princes Street, right next to the station.
The tram runs all the way from the airport to Waverley Station, and taxis will drop you off at Princes Street right by the main entrance.
Can you take a regular bus from Edinburgh Airport into the city?
Technically yes, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Regular public transit buses make far more stops, so the journey takes roughly twice as long — and there’s very little room for luggage. It’s just not worth the hassle when the Airlink Bus is so much faster and more comfortable.
If you still want to check out the routes, take a look at the Lothian Buses website.
